Kangaroos forward Corey Jones, free from his testy relationship with departed coach Dean Laidley, has declared the environment at North Melbourne "refreshing."

Jones will line up for his 150th game against Hawthorn on Sunday after being left by Laidley to languish in the VFL for most of this season.

He said he was not confident of ever returning to the senior side after fading from sight after battling a foot injury through last year.

"Definitely. I think I've only played three or four games this year so there was a bit of a spell there where you do doubt yourself," Jones said.

"There are still little doubts but I thought there were some positive signs at the weekend and hopefully I can keep improving each week."

While he said he was unsure of where he was headed under the prickly Laidley, Jones said he was more optimistic working with Roos caretaker coach Darren Crocker.

"It's just a little bit refreshing to change up a few things," he said.

"He's backed me in a little bit so it's good that way. I want to stand up for him also."

Jones remains philosophical about his friction with Laidley but he is clearly anticipating playing a larger role in the second half of the year.

"I put myself in the position that I was in, not performing to the level Laids wanted me to perform," he said.

"It was testing at times because he challenged me a lot of times and I tried to challenge him.

"It was nothing that any other coach-player relationships doesn't go through.

"When you're playing some good footy you can put your hand up and say you think you deserve a game.

"Crock has changed some things up but as you can see by the way we're playing we're probably taking the game on a little bit more which, as a forward, is good to see.

"It is a little bit exciting the way we're playing but hopefully we can tighten up a few things - we deserve a win, I reckon," Jones said.

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